Chapter 243: Capturing Lancelot
The continuous screams coming from the walkie-talkie threw Lelouch into complete panic.
Seeing the white mecha galloping across the battlefield like a grim reaper made Lelouch break out in a cold sweat.
"What on earth... is that thing?"
Could it be a seventh-generation Knightmare?
What should he do next?
Damn Britannia!
What should he do...
"P1, retreat to the rear, destination building at five o'clock."
"Waaah—"
"P1! Hey, P1!!"
Lelouch was still struggling desperately, but the successive screams from the walkie-talkie completely shattered his hopes.
At this critical moment, Lelouch remembered Mahiro, and the words he had said to him before—
"If you feel your strength isn't enough and need help, come find me. I'll help you."
"...Help me?"
Lelouch had relatively strong faith in Mahiro's abilities.
After all, Mahiro was the one responsible for teaching the mecha control course.
The problem was, that guy wasn't a superhuman—how could he possibly stop that monstrous new-generation war machine unarmed!
Damn it!!!
Lelouch gritted his teeth, tightening his grip on the phone in his hand.
Just then, a female voice came through the walkie-talkie.
"Target spotted. Requesting permission to commence capture operation?"
"Who is this? Who are you?!"
Lelouch was instantly shocked.
This voice was completely different from the previous Q1.
Which meant their communication frequency had been so easily breached?!
In fact, when this voice sounded, it wasn't only Lelouch who received it—Clovis's side had received it too.
Like a provocation, it broadcast across all frequencies for both sides, announcing the intervention of this third-party force.
Then, a calm voice came through the communication.
"Yes, commence the operation."
Operation?
What operation?!
Before Clovis and Lelouch could react, the battlefield situation changed again.
"What is that...? A human?"
On the battlefield, a human-sized figure suddenly appeared, wrapped entirely in black clothing with indistinguishable features.
The only discernible traits were the figure's long black hair,
along with beast ears that no human should possess, and a fluffy tail!
Simultaneously, the figure crouched low, moving like a beast running on all fours.
An inhuman growl emitted from its throat.
Could such a creature really be human?
Just as doubts arose, the black figure suddenly vanished from its position, reappearing instantly atop a Sutherland.
Then it swung its sharp claws fiercely.
Swish—
Like cutting through tofu, it effortlessly tore the Sutherland to shreds. The ejection system didn't even have time to activate before the pilot was incinerated into scrap metal along with the exploding mecha.
"Open fire! Open fire!!!"
The remaining Sutherlands quickly raised their firearms, aiming at the figure and pulling their triggers, unleashing blazing streams of bullets.
But the figure easily dodged their shots!
Like a wild beast, she pounced and clamped her teeth onto the firearm's casing.
Crack!
She actually bit through their guns with brute force!!!
"What... what kind of monster is this?!!"
Two furry ears twitched slightly. The beast crouched on the arm seemed to hear the shouts from inside the mech, then lifted her head to gaze toward the cockpit—and smiled.
"D...!"
Though her face was almost entirely concealed by a pitch-black mask, a vicious grin seeped through from behind it.
"Help... save me...! Aaaaaah—!!!"
The next instant, a dark figure descended from above, swinging a shadowy blade across the mech's surface and cleaving it in two in a split second.
Simultaneously, the figure landed softly.
The scorching blast wind from the explosion tousled her neat, short golden hair, making it flutter like a cat's.
Like the dark-clad girl, she too was dressed in a full-body black combat suit.
"Hey! Little she-cat! Don't steal Delta's prey!"
Delta locked eyes with the haughty figure—her gaze icy, while Delta burned like a raging flame.
Baring her sharp canine teeth, she growled a low "Grrrr~" in warning from her throat.
But the other paid no mind, coldly retorting:
"Hmph, stupid mutt. Our Master's mission is critical. I won't allow an unstable element like you to run amok here!"
"None of your business! You're in the way, little she-cat. Watch out or Delta will send you flying too!"
"Oh? You actually dare to say that."
The proud cat Zeta slowly narrowed her eyes, her gaze growing even colder.
"If you can do it, then come and try!"
"Try, then! Delta's not afraid of you! I'll definitely knock you flying, little she-cat!!!"
In the next moment, both their magical energies erupted simultaneously.
The resulting gale directly scattered the dust and sand.
It was truly a scene of flying debris and rolling stones.
Completely ignoring the surrounding mechs, the two instead started fighting each other first.
Fists and feet clashed instantly, the explosive force strong enough to tear the earth apart and demolish buildings.
Countless dilapidated structures around them crumbled under the shockwaves of their battle.
Seeing the two engaged in combat, the surrounding troops, who had already formed an encirclement, snapped back to attention.
The squad commander immediately issued the order:
"Open fire! While they're fighting among themselves, open fire now!!"
Rat-a-tat-tat—
Gunfire abruptly rang out.
A near-impenetrable curtain of bullets enveloped Delta and Zeta from all directions.
But the next moment, the bullets bizarrely passed straight through Zeta's body and embedded themselves in the ground.
It was the mistification ability of Blood Queen Elisabeth—not only had Alpha mastered it, but she, too, as one closest to the legendary hero, had learned it.
"Foolish disruptors who don't know their place... die!"
Zeta murmured softly, then waved her hand gracefully.
Instantly, countless black blades materialized around her—at a rough glance, thousands of them!
"Certain Kill: Thousand Blades!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
Like ten thousand arrows loosed at once.
In the blink of an eye, the mechs blocking her path were riddled like sieves, annihilated along with their pilots!
As for Delta's side, her approach was even more straightforward and brutal.
Using their bare bodies to withstand bullets, they then brandished their claws and tore the mechs apart with brute force.
It was essentially hand-to-hand mech destruction.
Even attempting to escape was impossible.
How could the speed of those Knightmares possibly compare to that of the beast-kin?
After the disruptors were eliminated, the two of them ended up fighting each other again.
The ground shattered.
Buildings collapsed in an instant.
In just a short while, everything around them was utterly demolished.
Truly worthy of the cat and dog demolition team...
"..."
Finally arriving at the battlefield, Alpha, who was stationed in the distance overseeing command, couldn't help but hold her forehead in frustration and headache.
In her eyes, both Delta and Zeta were outstanding children.
Unfortunately, their relationship was like fire and water—whenever they appeared together, they would almost always end up fighting.
Especially Delta, who would become uncontrollably excited the moment she entered the battlefield.
"Lady Alpha, should we intervene? Could their reckless actions disrupt Mahiro-sama's plans?" Beta asked with great concern.
But Alpha shook her head and sighed.
"Let them indulge their whims this time. It just so happens to draw some attention for us."
"As for that white mech..."
Alpha's gaze shifted slightly, landing on Lancelot speeding across the battlefield below.
Just as she was about to speak, a voice suddenly cut in.
"I'll handle it."
The speaker was the War Goddess, Beatrix.
Apart from the oversized tachi strapped to her back, nearly as tall as a person, her attire was almost identical to the others.
The black bodysuit accentuated her alluring and well-proportioned figure.
Even with her mask concealing her face, standing beside Alpha, they resembled sisters.
Their auras were strikingly similar.
Alpha nodded in agreement:
"Very well, the capture of Lancelot is entrusted to you. Do not disappoint Mahiro."
Beatrix didn't speak, only nodding silently in response.
The next moment, she vanished from her spot and dashed into the battlefield.
"Alright, everyone else, begin the operation as well. Assist Omega in capturing Lancelot!"
"Yes!"
As soon as the order was given, dozens of dark figures surged forward, intervening in the battlefield.
Like a third faction, they launched assaults on the Knightmares in the combat zone.
Although their elimination speed couldn't compare to that of the Seven Shadows-level Delta and Zeta, they were by no means slow.
These war machines, designed as meat grinders for battle, were now being effortlessly overpowered by a group of girls who had suddenly appeared on the battlefield.
"What in the world is happening?!"
Stationed at the headquarters, Clovis stared at the rapidly disappearing signals on the screen, utterly dumbfounded.
It was supposed to be a sure thing—this specially dispatched guide technical team was meant to help him turn the tide and eliminate these terrorists.
But now...
"Your Highness, please make a decision quickly! If this continues, we risk total annihilation!"
Advisors and officials of the Clovis faction risked their lives to plead with him.
The Britannian military had already suffered over half its casualties, and even the prince's personal guard had been largely wiped out. If this persisted, maintaining order in Area 11 would soon become an impossible task.
Most crucially, our homeland will hold us strictly accountable!
"I understand. Order all units to retreat, withdraw from the combat zone, and reorganize the encirclement. Let the Special Division's toy deal with the terrorists alone!"
The ministers immediately relayed the command, finally breathing sighs of relief.
Clovis leaned back in his seat with slight despair.
This time, he had finally shown some sense.
He made a relatively wise decision by choosing not to continue the futile struggle.
But the humiliation this time... had completely disgraced the homeland...
Meanwhile, inside the white knightmare frame on the battlefield, Suzaku Kururugi, its pilot, noticed the unusual movements in the rear.
Indeed, he was the close friend Lelouch had made after being sent to Japan.
To achieve true world peace, he chose to betray everything, join Britannia's military, become an Honorary Britannian, and attempt to change Britannia from within.
Later, he encountered Lelouch who had been taken hostage by terrorists.
He was then targeted for elimination after learning the secret about the poison gas.
Fortunately, the pocket watch left by Suzaku Kururugi's father saved his life, preventing the bullet from penetrating his body.
He only sustained a non-serious gunshot wound to the abdomen.
To stop this war, Suzaku Kururugi chose to become a test subject and pilot of the Lancelot.
He intended to use his own power to stop this rebellion and massacre.
But now.
He was witnessing a group of black-clad figures mercilessly slaughtering Britannian troops!
"Stop!!! Don't add more innocent casualties!!!"
Suzaku screamed hoarsely.
Hypocrite.
A complete hypocrite.
This was a battlefield—who among those who set foot here could be considered innocent?
Just as Suzaku turned the Lancelot around, he suddenly heard a soft whisper in the cockpit.
"...Your opponent is me."
"What?!"
Suzaku felt a chill run down his spine and quickly activated the Lancelot's energy shield on its arms.
A pale green energy shield instantly enveloped the entire frame.
The next moment, a steel-colored blade came crashing down heavily on the shield.
The terrifying impact shook the surrounding air, causing the Lancelot's legs and waist to creak and spark.
Even the asphalt beneath its feet sank deeply.
What terrifying strength!
But even more frightening was—
The energy shield that could block bullets and explosive impacts was now being slowly torn apart by that slender blade, gradually penetrating through the shield!
"How is this possible...?!"
Suzaku quickly tried to maneuver the frame backward to evade.
But his opponent seemed to anticipate this, applying more force to the long sword.
With a tearing sound! The Lancelot's arm was brutally ripped off!
In the instant of explosion, Suzaku emergency-detached the arm, but scorching flames still engulfed his frame.
When the blast dissipated, he finally saw the figure clearly.
It was actually a woman!
Standing calmly in the middle of the road, raising her long sword, her stunning pale golden hair flowing in the wind.
The exposed fair skin appeared crystalline and translucent under the sunlight.
Her arms looked so slender.
It was hard to imagine that this woman had just used these very hands to sever Lancelot's arm...
"Just who are you...?"
Suzaku sensed danger—this opponent completely defied all conventional logic.
Instinct told him he needed to retreat immediately.
But it was already too late.
"...There?"
Beatrix stared at the chest of the white mech before her. Based on her knowledge, the cockpit must be located there.
That should be the so-called cockpit.
The moment she confirmed the position, Beatrix kicked off the ground, launching a spear-like thrust attack toward Lancelot's heavily armored chest.
Suzaku realized her intention and immediately fired his Slash Harkens to intercept, but they were deflected with two sharp "Clang! Clang!" sounds.
There was no time to evade. He could only watch helplessly as the blade pierced through the chest armor.
Amid flashing sparks and blaring alarms, the long sword pushed inward like a power saw, grazing past Suzaku's cheek.
A trickle of crimson silently dripped down.
The 4.5-meter tall, 6.8-ton mech was violently slammed into the building by this single strike.
Boom!
Dust clouds erupted as Lancelot directly lost signal, cutting off all communication with headquarters.
"Oh no!! My Lancelot!!!"
Seeing Lancelot buried in the rubble, Lloyd in the command vehicle wailed as if he'd lost his parents.
"Thump!"
Cécile promptly delivered a fist to her superior's head, scolding with concerned disapproval:
"Lord Lloyd, shouldn't we be more concerned about Suzaku's safety right now!"
"Ahahaha, you're absolutely right, he is an important component after all..."
Soon, however, the monitor flickered back to life.
Something was thrown out from the collapsed building's ruins.
Not Lloyd's beloved Lancelot, but Suzaku Kururugi!
He was dragged out of the cockpit like trash and casually discarded outside.
The bruises covering his body suggested he'd been thoroughly beaten.
"Target capture complete. Ready for retrieval."
"Understood, Lady Omega. We're approaching for retrieval now."
Omega stood atop the deactivated white Lancelot, ending the communication.
Her pale golden hair fluttering in the breeze and the long sword sheathed at her side made her appear both formidable and captivating.
Shortly after, other numbered members of Shadow Garden arrived on scene, rushing into the rubble.
Amid clanging sounds, Lancelot was completely disassembled into parts and carried away piece by piece.
Just a few minutes later, only a handful of discarded screws remained in the building's ruins.
"...All those girls work for you? Is this what you intended to do?"
Surveying the devastated battlefield, C.C.'s expression remained impassive, though the numerous black-clad figures seemed vaguely familiar to her.
It felt just like meeting that girl named Alpha back at Aries Palace on January 5th.
"Of course. What else? Do you think there's anything else on this battlefield worth my attention?"
Facing C.C.'s question, Mahiro answered frankly while releasing his hands from dribbling and opening the Knightmare's cockpit hatch.
After staying in the stuffy environment for so long, breathing the cool air again was quite refreshing.
Though he had to admit, at the moment of letting go, he actually felt somewhat reluctant.
Unexpectedly, while C.C. appeared quite ordinary at first glance, she turned out to be surprisingly well-endowed.
Though separated by the constraint suit, a faint warmth still transmitted through the clothing.
Under C.C.'s contemptuous dead-fish-eyed gaze, Mahiro ultimately stood up and jumped down from the mech's cockpit.
"It's all over, isn't it? What else are you going to do?"
"Of course—to watch the final act. Want to come?"
Mahiro extended an invitation to C.C.
But having lived so long and witnessed countless events, the Witch could understand what he meant by the final act.
Currently, the Britannian forces were showing signs of defeat with heavy casualties, essentially ending in a stalemate with those terrorists.
Meanwhile, the main headquarters' defenses were likely at their weakest.
Probably what Mahiro called the final act was nothing other than Lelouch infiltrating the headquarters to assassinate Clovis.
Having already figured everything out, the Witch simply looked at him calmly and slowly said:
"Leaving me here alone, aren't you afraid I might disappear again?"
"You won't."
Mahiro stated confidently: "Since you've already formed a contract with Lelouch, to fulfill your wish, you wouldn't choose to disappear again.
However, I'd like to remind you—you should carefully consider the wish you desire to realize. Is death truly what you want?"
C.C. remained expressionless as ever, but a faint glimmer flickered in her pupils as she lightly snorted.
"Hmph, cocky brat."